First Advance Reviews for Boundary Waters Search and Rescue: Beyond Belief

Boundary Waters Search and Rescue: Beyond Belief is a fast paced adventure full of love, faith and enough suspense that I could not put it down! The characters are new friends I hope to visit again soon as their adventures continue.

Carol K

Some of the best parts about being a new author are the people you meet along the way. Since this is a truism for so much of life, I assumed it would be true of this new venture. However, new paths can sometimes disappoint. This has not been the case as I've written and pursued publication of the Boundary Waters Search and Rescue series. With my first book already in the publication pipeline, my second book undergoing professional editing prior to being handed-off to my publisher, and my third book about 1/3 to 1/2 done, I've had the help of some amazing people. Some of them were a part of my world prior to writing professionally, some are new to me and some were simply casual acquaintances that went the extra mile to help me see my dream of publication realized. (They are no longer casual acquaintances).

I've already thanked most of these folks in this forum---my beta readers, my family, my extraordinary independent editor, my publisher, my publication assistant, and my publisher's editors, typesetters, and cover design folks. Without exception these people are why I'm looking forward to a published book before year end (hopefully before the holidays). No one exists or works in a vacuum, least of all me. Still, I was gobsmacked by the generosity of all the folks mentioned above. These are people from all walks of life, the majority of whom are not publishing professionals. They are editors, teachers, attorneys, architects, defenders of our nation, artists, and more, all of whom have busy lives. Yet, they all worked to make my books better for the reader.

Today marks a milestone in my marketing journey. I received the first advance reviews for Boundary Water Search and Rescue: Beyond Belief (Book 1 in the BWSR series). I wanted to share them with you. They are from professional women, one of whom is a Christian, and one of whom is a deeply spiritual woman with a more expansive view of faith than the one I write about and personally espouse. I am deeply indebted to both of them because they were the first two people to fall in love with the characters I'd written. That is the most precious gift you can give an author.

Please don't confuse their interest in my characters with loving every word of my draft manuscript. These two women were sometime ruthless in their vetting of the book. That process had the potential for hurt, particularly when they're talking about um, my baby. However, they vetted so gently and with such obvious concern for making the book better, that I listened, I corrected, I re-wrote when necessary. In the end, all I can say to them is a resounding thank you! You both saved my publisher countless hours of work and made the book, in my opinion, far more readable.

My first review (above) begins this post and I will close with the second review.

I was surprised by how much I liked this book. It pulls you in from the get-go with action, mystery, and a potential love story - all set in the glorious nature of the Minnesota Boundary Waters. It's filled with human joy and human foibles, heart, and love. A very enjoyable read!  ~DKBB

Thank you from my heart, both of you!

Joy

PS: I would be remiss if I failed to mention someone who made me a far better writer long before I started this fictional series. MSP is a professor I was privileged to learn from while in law school a few years back. (3 classes from this amazing scholar) I am grateful for his exacting standards, his rigorous criticism, his unbounded enthusiasm for teaching, and his unfailing compassion. He inspired me to deliver cogent messages in readable prose. You know who you are. Thank you.